BOARD CHAIR

Vaughan Public Libraries exists to serve you, our customers, and I believe that when we look back on 2021, we will see a year marked by resilience, dedication, and innovation. This was a year when we rapidly amended service to meet public health guidelines, while also maintaining access to an exceptional collection, and remarkable levels of customer service. It was a year characterized by adapting to the present, while also building for the future.

VPL’s digital pivot in 2020 meant that we were able to offer high-quality virtual programs throughout the past year, alongside a suite of digital resources that we bolstered during the pandemic to provide flexibility to our customers. In-branch, we worked tirelessly to exceed expectations, ensure public safety, and innovate to provide you with the best possible experience. At the beginning of 2022, our staff commitment to resourcefulness and creativity was recognized with an Innovation Award from the Urban Libraries Council. Shortly after that, the Vaughan Public Library Board, alongside our Ontario colleagues, received the Joyce Cunningham Award for Library Board of the year. This recognized our ability to adapt, transform and expand services during trying times.

In August we opened the Mackenzie Health Vaughan Library, providing library services and collections access to the local community, patients, caregivers, and hospital employees. This branch delivers health literacy expertise and programming, all in a comfortable, welcoming space. Our drive to grow and improve does not stop there. Work continued on the VMC Libraries, which are scheduled to open in Summer 2022, and we began a reimagination of Maple Library, which will see it reopen as a bright, vibrant community hub. The design phase for Carrville Library was completed, as was the feasibility study for a new library in West Woodbridge.

2021 was a remarkable year for many reasons, but I believe we have come out of this stronger than ever with an enhanced commitment to innovation and customer service. It was a year that reinforced how important libraries can be to their communities, and how they can change to provide even greater value. We look forward to continuing this journey with you and seeing you at our branches this year.

2019-2022